burdensome - Master This Word
Master this word with our 5-step learning method – Learn English in English
burdensome Word Meanings
- causing difficulty or hardship
- heavy and difficult to bear
- involving a lot of effort or responsibility
burdensome Example Sentences
Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.
burdensome Phonetic & Pronunciation
UK
/ˈbɜːd(ə)n.səm/
US
/ˈbɜrdən.səm/
burdensome Word Etymology
Root: burden (noun) + some (suffix) → Origin: Old English 'byrdan' → Old French 'burden' → Middle English → burdensome. Memory: Picture a heavy backpack filled with rocks, making every step difficult - that’s how burdensome feels.
Note 1: These definitions and etymologies are not standard dictionary definitions, but extended explanations provided to help with memorization and understanding of the actual application of words. Through this background information, we strive to make words more vivid and easier to understand, and help you remember their meanings in real life.
Note 2: LexiTalk designs the learning flow around the linguistics principle of “Comprehensible Input.” When learners encounter material that is slightly above their level but still understandable from context, the brain naturally absorbs the language. That’s why we keep every word inside authentic contexts, using examples and associations to help you understand it and use it flexibly.
Read the FAQ explanation of Comprehensible InputReal Context
Burdensome describes something that causes strong difficulty or hardship, often because it is heavy, complex, or demands more effort than expected. It can refer to physical weight, such as carrying a heavy sack, or to responsibilities that feel overwhelming, like managing many tasks with tight deadlines. In everyday use, people say a task is burdensome when it drains time and energy or when rules and procedures make progress slow. The word carries a sense of pressure and persistent strain rather than a one-time challenge. Learners should note that burdensome usually refers to ongoing burden rather than a single quick obstacle.
Usage Reminders
- Use burdensome for ongoing, heavy tasks or responsibilities, not for minor annoyances.
- It emphasizes pressure and duration, not a quick obstacle.
- Often appears in formal or professional contexts.
- Pairs naturally with nouns like load, duty, task, or procedure.
- Can describe both physical weight and abstract burdens.
Common Misconceptions
- It always means something physically heavy; many things that feel heavy are not burdensome.
- Burdensome is the same as burdens; burdens are the noun, burdensome is the adjective.
- It describes a person, not a task or load.
- It is interchangeable with 'heavy' in every context.
- It only applies to formal writing.
Thinking Differences
Think of burdensome as a formal cue signaling ongoing strain; avoid using it for small annoyances; use alternatives like heavy or tiresome for less formal speech.
Learning Tips
- Practice collocations with load, duty, task, procedure
- Compare with onerous and oppressive to feel nuance
- Use it for long-term burdens, not one-off obstacles
- Pair with verbs like become, feel, appear to convey impact
- Read formal texts to see natural usage
5-Step Learning Method - Learn English in English
Step 1: Meaning
What is the meaning of the word 'burdensome'?
A.Causing difficulty or hardship
B.Light and easy to handle
C.Enjoyable and pleasurable
D.Simple and straightforward
Step 2: Usage
Which sentence uses 'burdensome' correctly?
A.Finances can be burdensome for many families.
B.The feather was burdensome to carry.
C.His smile was burdensome and cheerful.
D.The book was too burdensome to finish.
Step 3: Similar Words
Which word is most similar to 'burdensome'?
A.Helpful
B.Cumbersome
C.Lightweight
D.Enjoyable
Step 4: Opposite Words
What is the opposite of 'burdensome'?
A.Difficult
B.Encumbering
C.Facilitating
D.Obstructive
Step 5: Mastery
Can you think of a real-life scenario where something might be burdensome?
A.The task of cleaning the house was a joyful activity for the kids.
B.She found joy in painting and expressed herself through art.
C.Organizing a large event can feel overwhelming and stressful.
D.Running every day made him feel healthy and invigorated.
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